Rigorous training. Demonstrated competency. Professional book coaching
What Is an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach?
A highly trained professional who helps writers develop stronger books, navigate the creative process, and bring their work to the marketplace.
Author Accelerator Certified Book Coaches don't just study the craft of book coaching. They demonstrate their ability to do it. Through rigorous professional training and client-based practicums, they develop the creative, editorial, and strategic expertise to guide writers through the challenges of bringing a book to life.
100+ hours of comprehensive professional training in the art and craft of book coaching
Three rigorous practicums requiring demonstrated competency in working directly with clients
Expertise in book planning, manuscript and proposal evaluation, and market positioning
What Certified Book Coaches Are Trained to Do:
Use the Blueprint Method to help writers develop stronger books
Every Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach is a trained Blueprint Method Facilitator. They know how to use our signature framework to help writers start, analyze, and revise their books at key stages of the book development process.
Evaluate manuscripts and book proposals
Certified book coaches are trained to assess manuscripts (fiction and memoir) and proposals (nonfiction), identify what's working and what isn't, and provide editorial feedback that helps writers strengthen their books while honoring their creative vision.
Help writers navigate the publishing marketplace
Certified book coaches understand how to evaluate a book's market positioning, identify its potential readers, and help writers make informed decisions about their publishing goals.
Guide the creative process
Certified book coaches understand that writing a book is more than an editorial challenge. They know how to help writers navigate uncertainty, overcome obstacles, make difficult creative decisions, and keep moving toward their goals.
Build productive coaching relationships
Certified book coaches know how to listen deeply, ask powerful questions, provide honest feedback, and offer the accountability and support writers need to do their best work.
Why we set the bar so high
I've spent more than 14 years working with writers and training book coaches, and I've come to believe that the best book coaching requires more than editorial expertise.
It requires knowing how to help a writer figure out what they're trying to do, make difficult creative decisions, and find a way forward when the work gets hard.
That's why we built our certification around demonstrated competency. We don't just want coaches who understand the principles of book coaching. We want coaches who know how to put those principles into practice with real writers and real books.
Jennie Nash
Founder and CEO, Author Accelerator
What's the difference between a Blueprint Facilitator and a Book Coach?
A Blueprint Method Facilitator is trained to use a specific tool.
The Blueprint Method is Author Accelerator's signature framework for helping writers start, analyze, and revise their books. Facilitators learn to guide writers through this process and demonstrate their ability to use the method with a real client.
An Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach is trained in the full scope of professional book coaching.
Every Certified Book Coach is also a trained Blueprint Method Facilitator. But certification goes much further, requiring demonstrated competency in manuscript and proposal evaluation, market positioning, creative guidance, and professional coaching relationships.
Blueprint Method Training and the Blueprint Method Facilitator Practicum together represent the first third of the Book Coach Certification curriculum.
Both designations represent meaningful training, but they are not equivalent.
A Blueprint Method Facilitator has demonstrated competency in using a particular tool. A Certified Book Coach has demonstrated competency across a much broader range of professional book coaching services.
Interested in working with a certified book coach?
Writing a book is deeply personal. Finding the right coach should be, too.
Our matching process helps you find potential coaches from our network of more than 450 certified professionals.
We believe the best coaching relationships are built on creative judgment, editorial expertise, psychological insight, and trust.
Find a coach who understands what you're trying to create — and knows how to help you get there.
The Path to Certification
Build your expertise one step at a time, with hands-on training, real client experience, and personalized feedback every step of the way.
Each step prepares you to offer a valuable service to writers, so you can start earning money as you work toward full certification.
Step 1: Master the foundations of book coaching.
Blueprint Method Training and Blueprint Method Facilitator Practicum
Learn how to help writers clarify their ideas, make critical creative decisions, and build a strong foundation for their books. You'll master our signature Blueprint Method by focusing on one genre, practice coaching, and develop a service you know how to price and sell.
Your investment: $4,998. Training ($1,999) and the Practicum ($2,999) are purchased separately.
Length of time: Training is 8 weeks. The Practicum is 12 weeks.
The Blueprint Facilitator Practicum is Pass/No Pass. You must pass in order to move to Step 2.
Step 2: Master how to work with whole book manuscripts and ideas
Whole Book Evaluation Training and Practicum (fiction and memoir) OR Book Proposal Training and Practicum (nonfiction)
Step 3. Master how to help a client navigate the path to publishing
Path to Publishing Training and Practicum
Step 4. Become an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach
Learn how to evaluate an entire manuscript or book idea, identify what's working and what isn't, and give writers a clear, actionable plan for moving forward. You'll practice these skills with a real client and learn how to turn your expertise into a professional coaching service.
Choose the genre specialization that matches the writers you want to serve.
By application only.
Your investment: $4,998 includes both training and practicum.
Length of time: 6 months
Pass/No Pass. Certification requires passing all three Practicums. Certification is not guaranteed.
Learn how the publishing industry works and how to help writers make informed decisions about their publishing options. You'll gain the knowledge and confidence to guide clients through one of the most important decisions they'll make about their books.
Your investment: $4,998 includes both training and practicum.
Length of time: 6 months
Pass/No Pass. Certification requires passing all three Practicums. Certification is not guaranteed.
Once you've successfully passed all three practicums, you'll have demonstrated the skills, knowledge, and coaching ability required to earn your certification.
You'll join a community of nearly 450 certified book coaches who understand your work, share your commitment to writers, and can support you as you build your business.
You'll also have access to ongoing licensing options, including the opportunity to be listed in our book coach directory so writers can find and connect with you.
Ongoing licensing: $15 or $50/month, depending on the level of ongoing support and access to community coaching calls you choose. Payments are made each quarter.
Your Investment in Certification
Step 1: $4,998
Step 2: $4,998
Step 3: $4,998
Total certification investment: $14,994
Ongoing licensing: $15 or $50/month.
You don't have to make the entire investment at once. Move through the training step by step, gaining practical experience, developing services you can sell, and building your business along the way.
Praise for Author Accelerator
FAQ For People Interested in Book Coach Training
Is Author Accelerator currently accepting students into Book Coach Certification?
If you're interested in becoming a Certified Book Coach, the first steps are Blueprint Method Training, followed by the Blueprint Facilitator Practicum. You'll learn our signature framework for helping writers start, analyze, and revise their books, along with how to turn that expertise into a professional coaching offer. The Practicum is where you prove you have mastered Blueprint Method Training. You will receive either pass or no pass. Once the Blueprint Method Training and Blueprint Method Facilitator Practicum are complete and you’ve received a pass on your Practicum, you’ll be eligible to apply for the next Practicum.
Can I talk to a team member?
Each month, we host an OPEN HOUSE where you can bring your questions for Jennie and our Coach Development team.
FAQ For Writers Looking for a Certified Book Coach
What's the difference between a book coach and a book editor?
An editor primarily focuses on the manuscript. A book coach works with both the manuscript and the writer. In addition to providing editorial expertise, a coach helps writers clarify their goals, make creative decisions, navigate challenges, and move their projects forward. Many book coaches also offer manuscript evaluations and other editorial services.
Can a certified book coach help with both fiction, memoir, and nonfiction?
Author Accelerator trains book coaches in fiction, memoir, and nonfiction book development. Individual coaches may specialize in particular genres, audiences, or types of projects, so it's important to find someone whose expertise matches the book you're writing.
Do I need to have a manuscript before hiring a book coach?
Not at all. Some writers hire coaches before they've written a single page. Others seek help when they're stuck in the middle of a draft, preparing for revision, or considering their publishing options. A book coach can be valuable at many stages of the writing process.
How do I find the right certified book coach for my project?
The right coach combines professional expertise with an approach that works for you. Look for someone who understands the kind of book you want to write, whose editorial judgment you trust, and whose coaching style makes you feel both challenged and supported.
Author Accelerator's matching process helps you find potential coaches from our network of more than 450 certified professionals. Search our directory at www.authoraccelerator.com/matchme.